He will be remembered as an experienced administrator and dedicated public servant who enriched Goa’s development trajectory – PM Narendra Modi

Ponda, Goa (Ms Aditi Karan Samarth) Former Chief Minister of Goa and current Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik passed away due to a heart attack at midnight today. A senior leader 79-year-old Naik suffered a heart attack in his constituency and hometown Ponda, 30 km from Panaji.

He was admitted to a private hospital in the city of Ponda after suffering a natural illness, where he was pronounced dead at around 1 a.m. He is survived by his wife, two children, a daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren. His last rites will be performed today, Wednesday, at 3 p.m. His body was brought to his residence in Kharpabandh, Ponda, where thousands of people gathered to pay their respects.

Ravi Naik has millions of fans across the state of Goa due to his contribution in uniting the Bhandari community of Goa. Recently, due to his efforts, a huge program of Bhandari community was organized, in which under his chairmanship, an appeal was made to the community to unite and develop.

PM Modi expresses grief with tribute

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed condolences on the passing of senior BJP leader Ravi Naik. He will be remembered as an experienced administrator and dedicated public servant who enriched Goa’s development trajectory, PM Modi said. He was particularly dedicated to empowering the underprivileged and marginalized. My condolences to his family and supporters in this time of grief. Om Shanti.

Goa CM Sawant pays tribute

Paying tribute to the late leader Ravi Naik, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said his leadership, humility, and contributions to public welfare will always be remembered. CM Sawant wrote on Instagram – Deeply saddened by the demise of our senior leader and Cabinet Minister Ravi Naik ji. A stalwart of Goa politics, his decades of dedicated service as Chief Minister and Minister of various key departments have left an indelible mark on the governance and people of the state. His leadership, humility, and contributions to public welfare will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and supporters in this time of grief. Om Shanti.

Regardless of which party Ravi Naik contested, he always defeated his opponents and reached the Assembly. He has been a seven-term MLA.

Born on September 18, 1946, Ravi Naik, a young leader of the Bhandari community, has established prominent educational institutions in Goa. Over the past forty years, thousands of students have received education from his schools and colleges. Ravi Naik was a seven-time MLA (six times from Phonda Assembly constituency and once from Madkai Assembly constituency) as a candidate of various parties including Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, Congress and BJP. He was first elected to the State Assembly in 1984 from the Ponda Assembly Constituency on a MGP ticket and in 1989 contested from the Madakai Assembly Constituency from the same party. Ravi Naik was elected consecutively from Ponda Assembly Constituency in 1999, 2002, 2997 and 2017 on Congress ticket and in 2022 on BJP ticket. Naik served as the Chief Minister of the coastal state twice, first from January 1991 to May 1993, when he led the Progressive Democratic Front coalition government. Ravi Naik was one of Goa’s most prominent figures, leaving a lasting impression through his work in politics and social service. (INN Bharat Mumbai – Goa)